Frequently Asked Questions
What is Allen-Bradley 1746-A10?
Allen-Bradley 1746-A10 is a Bulletin 1746 ten-slot modular chassis designed for the SLC 500 PLC system. It provides mechanical support, backplane power distribution and electrical connections for compatible processors, adapters and I/O modules.
How many module slots does 1746-A10 provide?
The 1746-A10 provides ten module slots. In a primary modular SLC 500 chassis, the processor or I/O adapter is normally installed in the leftmost module position, with compatible I/O and communication modules installed in the remaining positions according to the system configuration.
Does 1746-A10 include a PLC processor?
No. The 1746-A10 is a chassis assembly rather than a complete PLC controller. A compatible SLC 500 processor or I/O adapter must be selected separately, together with the required I/O modules and system power supply.
Does 1746-A10 include a power supply?
No. The chassis is designed to operate with a separately selected compatible SLC 500 power supply mounted on the left side of the assembly. Power supply selection must account for the total 5 VDC and 24 VDC current requirements of the installed modules.
Can multiple 1746-A10 chassis be connected?
Yes. Rockwell Automation documents configurations with up to three interconnected SLC 500 modular chassis. Three ten-slot chassis can provide a total of 30 module slots, subject to the processor or adapter requirements, interconnect cabling and applicable system limitations.
Which interconnect cables are compatible with 1746-A10?
Rockwell Automation lists the 1746-C7 cable at 0.15 m, 1746-C9 at 0.91 m and 1746-C16 at 1.22 m for compatible modular chassis interconnections. The correct cable depends on chassis positioning and the installation requirements.
What are the dimensions of 1746-A10?
The published chassis dimensions are 171 mm high, 397 mm wide and 145 mm deep, equivalent to approximately 6.73 × 15.64 × 5.71 inches. Additional installation clearance is necessary for ventilation, wiring and access.
How much does the Allen-Bradley 1746-A10 chassis weigh?
The published approximate chassis weight is 1.5 kg, or 3.3 lb, without installed modules. The assembled equipment weight increases when the processor, I/O modules, power supply and other accessories are installed.
How is 1746-A10 mounted?
The chassis is mounted on an industrial enclosure back panel using six mounting tabs. Rockwell Automation specifies suitable M4 or M5 mounting hardware and grounding arrangements in the modular chassis installation instructions. It is not a standard DIN rail-mounted chassis.
What is the difference between 1746-A10 and 1746-A7?
The 1746-A10 provides ten module slots and measures approximately 171 × 397 × 145 mm, while the 1746-A7 provides seven module slots and measures approximately 171 × 282 × 145 mm. Both belong to the modular SLC 500 chassis family, but the different widths and slot capacities must be considered when replacing or expanding an installation.
Is Allen-Bradley 1746-A10 discontinued?
Yes. Rockwell Automation lists the 1746-A10 as discontinued effective March 31, 2024, with no planned Rockwell Automation replacement. Maintenance or system modernization should therefore consider the compatibility of the existing SLC 500 architecture and any proposed alternative platform.
What should be checked before ordering 1746-A10?
Verify the exact catalog number 1746-A10, chassis hardware series, ten-slot capacity, existing SLC 500 processor or adapter, required Bulletin 1746 I/O modules, power supply compatibility, total backplane power budget, available enclosure space, 171 × 397 × 145 mm dimensions, six mounting points, grounding requirements and any 1746-C series chassis interconnect cables. If replacing an installed chassis, confirm the PLC program backup, module slot arrangement and existing wiring before removing equipment.